//------------------------------// // Gifts and a Game (Northern Front) // Story: Champions of the Elements // by The Philosopher King //------------------------------// {Northern Front, Day 10} The northern war front had pushed on, acquiring much ground. Celestia actually had a good idea, based around the way the gryphons acted; they could keep everything they owned if they surrendered. Many of the Gryphon cities were not unified in this cause against Equestria, and many of the cities just let the army pass through. Jarvan viewed those cities that did surrender as cowardly, but Celestia simply wanted to minimize the bloodshed of the war. Some cities were adverse to surrender, and openly attacked. All of the Gryphon soldiers were extremely inexperienced, mostly due to the fact that they were all young recruits who simply going along with the cause of the grandparents and parents, dying as the road was paved throughout the Gryphon Kingdom. Ryze, however, was more concerned with the way Nocturne snuck into Twilight’s mind that one night. “So, let me get this straight,” asked an extremely confused Ryze, “the creature that the Institute found a couple years ago and bound to a nexus fragment that we know as Nocturne was actually the same darkened soul that took over the mind of one of your rulers and tried to enforce an eternal night under the name Nightmare Moon?” “An apparent yes,” said Twilight. “When my friends and I expelled the nightmare from Princess Luna, it must have been banished to your dimension… causing countless amounts of strife as well as death…” she shuddered. “I’m sorry, I just really can’t imagine Nocturne as a female alicorn…” said Ryze disbelievingly. “But then again, that would explain where he came from. We at the Institute have been trying to figure that out for ages.” “I’m still troubled by what he said…” Twilight added. “What specifically? Anything that bastard says is troubling…” Ryze replied. “It’s that whole ‘the one who befriended me told me to end your life’ thing he was going on about.” Twilight said exasperated. “He’s not alone, wherever he is.” “But at least he’s gone for now.” said Ryze. “The group can finally rest here. Plus, I’ve read up on some Equestrian documents and Celestia has told me a little bit about a certain place you had been wanting to go to before the war… and apparently it’s our next target in the war.” “Griffonstone?” she asked, as her eyes noticeably lit up. “Yes, Celestia claims it will put such a strain on the offending Gryphon kingdoms that they will collapse in on themselves, enabling us to enter their cities and proclaim them as states under the control of Equestria.” he answered. “However, Jarvan has been asking if cities could possibly become the states for Runeterran representation in this world, acting as additions to Runeterran city-states. One of his generals said the correct term would be that the city-states would be conducting “colonization,” upgrading the current standards of Gryphon cities and governments while allowing them to retain their current property. They would be able to exchange their wealth and artisan goods for Runeterran luxuries and other goods, allowing prosperous trade to exist for all the Runeterran city-states who are involved in operations here, while benefitting the Gryphons at the same time. In theory, it sounds like a wonderful scenario for both parties.” “That sounds like an excellent idea,” said Twilight. “Although, I think this ‘colonization’ should be temporary, as it would be better to have them govern themselves rather than us meddle in their affairs constantly.” “What if they shoot us in the foot again?” he asked agitatedly. “What do you mean?” she asked confusedly as the two walked through the streets of the city the Runeterran and Equestrian armies had occupied. “Well, as soon as we put the Gryphon army down, they will seek revenge.” he said, as if he knew that laid in the immediate future. “But they might just need to be shown the right way a bit…” she said. “One of them got close enough to kill you the other day… and yet you are still trying to show them mercy.” he said with a hint of venom in his voice before switching back to his normal one. “It’s a bit obvious we view injustice differently from you ponies, yet I personally consider that moral philosophy you have… I heard a motto one of the ponies in one of the early cities say… something about toleration?” “Love and Tolerate?” she asked. “It’s hardly a motto, more or less just a lesson we sometimes we remind each other of when one of us gets on a wrong path.” “It seems to be a recurring policy, even in your politics.” Ryze said in a semi-sullen voice. “Runeterrans would never adopt such a policy, as they care about power and monetary wealth too much to change their ways entirely. But at least they still have good intents in their hearts.” “But then again, I’m out just to save my own ass.” said Graves as he walked up to the pair, carrying a decently sized chest. “So’s Tobias. As well as Shaco…” “And that’s why the three of you are not government officials.” Ryze deadpanned. “But you might make good agents for the Demacian IRS…” “Never. EVER. Say that again. Although I’ve never heard of what an IRS is…” Graves said confusedly. “Again, why you’re not in government. Why are you here anyway, Graves?” Ryze questioned. “Just walking through, preparing for the fight. Also, Jarvan wanted me to give this to ya Ryze. Said something about you leaving this at the Institute…” He takes the chest and places it heavily on the ground. “I already looked through it for valuables…” “I assumed that much, you thieving asshole.” Ryze said as he rolled his eyes. “Hey, calm your ass.” Graves said. “It’s contains several of your old dusty books and your old uniform back from when you taught at the institute. I don’t wanna bother y’all any longer. I’m off.” He began to walk away from the pair, towards the military tents in the distance. Ryze ran up to him before he finished leaving. “Eh, I don’t like saying this, but thank you Graves.” Ryze stated reluctantly. “This was the only set of clothing I ever actually felt like wearing.” “Eh, no problem.” Graves replied. “Just considered not calling me a “thieving asshole” again and you can see a few more favors like that in the future. Might even invite you to a poker game or two with me and Tobias when this war’s done.” He resumed his walk back to the camp, leaving Twilight and Ryze in the town. When Graves finally arrived at the group of tents, he realized something. This had been the first time he had any time to himself since he and Tobias were saved from that disastrous raid. He determined that perhaps he and Fate should try doing blackjack or poker, if he could find Fate that was. He walked in the tent that was his, and found Tobias sitting at a table in with two pony guards, Pantheon, and a large figure, who seemed a bit strange in comparison to other beings; he had what seemed to be a huge white beard, an odd garment that looked like a cross between a robe and a tunic, and odd legs that ended in stubs. But the oddest part of him was a strange wooden and brass disc with three holes that seemed be his face. This fellow was known as Bard by most, and he occasionally played a game or two with the criminal duo in between his celestial travels. Of course Graves couldn’t tell what Bard said, but Tobias somehow could. Apparently the celestials were part of the Serpentine people’s mythology, which was an offshoot tracing, in part, to Ionian storytellers. The other two players were a white, pegasus, stallion who seemed to be of a high rank, and a dark coated mare who possessed the wings of a bat, yet seemed equally important in rank. “Nice to see you’ve finally showed up, Graves.” said Twisted Fate. Bard simply makes a musical tone and waves at Graves. “Eh, deal me in. I got time to spare. So, two things: Name of the game, and introduce me to your two new friends Tobias.” Graves stated. “Actually, I didn’t friend ‘em.” said Tobias. “Bard was wandering around the camp chasing after those chimes that follow him or whatever, and these two went chasing after him for some reason.” “He was bumping into several ponies and soldiers during their exercises,” said the white stallion. “Anyway,” Tobias resumed. “I saw them chasing Bard, who was just getting faster due to the buff the chimes gave him, and started laughing, until I got tired of it and talked to them. I explained to the pair that Bard’s presence summons the chimes, and that he was probably looking for someone while he was doing it, when he came up to me holding a pack.” “That fellow was causing a lot of chaos, but I guess he’s alright if it was an accident.” said the mare. “And now, here we are.” Tobias began to finish. “The stallion is the captain of the Solar Guard, Cloud Skipper, and his friend is the captain of the Lunar Guard, Midnight Blossom. And of course you already know Bard. And you two, this is my partner I was talking about, Graves.” Tobias said to the two ponies. “Tobias, yer memory’s going again. Name of the Game?” Graves asked, pulling up a chair. “Piltover Hold’em.” said Pantheon, who generally did not like to speak. “Although here they call it Crystal Hold’em.” Tobias decided to add onto Pantheon’s statement. “For a brief recap, so our new friends understand the suits and play style of Runeterran cards a little better, Piltover hold’em is regular poker, with each hand having two cards, and five cards in the center of the table. The suits are, in order of highest to lowest value, are clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades. Ace plays high, and in case of two hands tying, the kicker will determine the winner; if both sides have the same hand, but of different suits, the higher suit wins. If both have the same cards due to the central cards being the best the players have, the pot will become a side pot, and the next round will be issued, with the winner of that round receiving the side pot. Finally, the buy in for this match is fifty bits, and the blinds will be progressively increased, as decided by Bard, mostly due to him playing the game for fun, and not entirely for competition, as well as him being the most decent of us here.” “I have a feeling this will be fun already…” said Graves. “Also, I got somethin’ for ya. Consider it an early birthday present…” Graves tossed Tobias a small bottle, with a cloth covering it. “Is this…” started Tobias. “Moonshine from the Serpentine, yessir.” Graves said. “Risked my ass on that one. Luckily, due to these portals these people have been making, I managed to get one set up to the Serpentine, and I sneaked in and took one for ya.” Tobias smiled and said, “I’m still not going easy on you.” Graves replied, “I knew you’d say that.” “Get on with the game already. I want to test these two Captain’s battle skills after this.” Pantheon said abruptly. {Undisclosed Location, Time ???} The ancient castle’s halls now contained a new army of Changelings, as well as Sombra, the Queen, and Nocturne. While it was dilapidated, it was a fine place, as the halls still covered from rain, and acted as decent shelter. “My lord…” Nocturne said. “What is it, my warrior of the darkness?” Sombra questioned. “I crave to disrupt another being’s dreams, but the camps are proving hard to get into. And I am becoming impatient with your agreement with the Changelings’ infiltration plan. It is taking too much time.” Nocturne grumbled. “Patience, you imbecile. We must take them by surprise, and defeat them in one fell swoop. a coup d’etat is hard to pull off in proper, and must be executed and planned carefully. Otherwise, their entire army will massacre us to pieces, and imprison us, the leaders of the operation, in prisons similar to the one you had on Runeterra. And, I believe we have our captives…” Sombra finished, seeing a group of Changelings enter with a biologically produced cage containing several ponies and even a few Runterrans.” “Perfect… new beings to destroy…” said Nocturne rushing at them with his blades… “NO!” shouted the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis. “I refuse to allow you to destroy our source of new love energy, that we Changelings feast upon. Plus these hostages will make the armies think twice before destroying us. I have a select group of my own spying on their army as we speak… and might i add, this plan is going perfectly. Vengeance shall, as cliched as it sounds, be ours, gentlemen.” Sombra then replied, “Excellent… Equestria shall be ours, and then, the other realm of Runeterra.” Meanwhile, near a mountain past the deserts of the Western front... "The might of the Winter's Claw approaches you, army of fools..."